X-BULL New Recovery Traction Tracks Sand Mud Snow Track Tire Ladder 4WD (Red,3gen)

Why it's worth it

The X-BULL Gen 3 comes as a complete kit with a carry bag and optional rack pins, and the cross-shaped teeth are a real improvement over the brand's older design. It's the sensible starting point if you're not sure how often you'll actually need boards.

The Gen 3 teeth fixed the original's real problem. Earlier X-BULL boards had a habit of sliding under the tire rather than biting into it, which is the worst outcome for a recovery board. The cross-shaped teeth on this generation grab tire tread and terrain at the same time. X-BULL also says they're shaped to resist melting under hard wheelspin, which is the usual way cheap boards die.

It's a full kit, not just two slabs of plastic. You get a carry bag, and mounting pins are available for most roof racks. That matters more than it sounds, because bare boards end up loose in the bed sliding around and getting chewed up. Boards that have a bag get stored properly and stay in the truck.

From our review of 7 off-road recovery boards, by Genevieve Dubois, Home & Living Expert

What we like

• +The Gen 3 teeth fixed the original's real problem
• +It's a full kit, not just two slabs of plastic
• +The size is right for lighter rigs
• +Volume has an upside

What to know

• –They're heavy for the size
• –The plastic isn't a cold-weather choice
• –Short boards don't love deep ruts